Nikon 50mm 1.4G vs 85mm 1.4 « Nikon Rumors Forum

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Nikon 50mm 1.4G vs 85mm 1.4

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Nikon 50mm 1.4G vs 85mm 1.4

Dp1363

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Santa is planning on bringing me a D700 for Christmas. I already have a 70-300mm and he also planning on bringing me a 17-35mm 2.8. I would like to get a fast prime as an in between lens. I was thinking of either the 50mm 1.4G or the 85 1.4. I have been weighing the factors and I know the 85mm is way more expensive but every review I read seems to point to the 85mm as being an truly awesome lens. However at 85mm I have that range covered in my 70-300mm. Albeit, not at 1.4. I figure the 50mm fits in between the other two lenses. Everyone seems to like the 50mm but not as much as the 85mm! Owning both would be the ultimate way to go but way too expensive for now. So if I had to only get one prime should I get the 50mm or 85mm? I would like to use the prime to do indoor low light shots and portrait.

The other issue for me on this decision is I shoot with D90 with a DX sensor so I don't have the feel for whether the 50mm will be too wide for indoor shots of the kids etc.when I go full frame with D700.

I know the logical answer is the 24-70mm to fill in the gap, but for now I would like to just get a fast prime.

Posted 3 years ago #
NSXType-R

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You do realize that with the crop factor the 50mm becomes a 75mm, and the 85 becomes a 127?

Personally, I really like wide angles. I picked the 35mm 1.8 over the 50mm 1.4 simply because the 35mm was wider on DX.

Have you looked at the old 50mm 1.4? You don't need to always buy the G lenses. You'll save a lot of money if you buy the older AF lenses.

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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Buy a 85 1.4 and a 50 1.8 - it's next to free @ $100 day in / day out used. 85 is LONG indoors. How often do you plan on using the rice-paper thin DoF of the 50 1.4 vs the 1/8? 50 is LONG indoors on DX - you want the 35 for that. 35 F2 goes for $250-$300 on Craigslist around me.

Posted 3 years ago #
nau

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NSXType-R "You do realize that with the crop factor the 50mm becomes a 75mm, and the 85 becomes a 127? "
aaa.... we talking about D700 aka full frame

and in re: 50 vs 85 ....
50 is a great lens and its SMALL 85 on is a lot bigger and kinda for difference purpose

Id say get 50mm second hand - or older model - G doesnt have enf perks to it (if any) to get it over the previous models)
85 is due for update any time soon... or so we hope

Posted 3 years ago #
shivaswrath

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I would recommend the 85 1.4 as it's an AMAZING lens on the FF camera.

The 50 1.8 will suffice to fill the remaining gaps, and at $120, a steal. . .

Posted 3 years ago #
Dp1363

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NSXType-R, yes I do realize the crop factor that is why I was trying to compare what I should get when I go full frame. If the 50mm was going to be too wide on the full frame D700 for in door pictures then I was going go with the 85mm.

Nau, if the 85mm is indeed going to be upgraded, (it looks like it from the patent application here on NR) then I guess the 50mm is the way to go. Although, it sounds like the very shallow DOF on the 50mm at 1.4 can be an issue when trying to get in focus pictures.

Posted 3 years ago #
NikoDoby

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Why would f1.4 be an issue if that's the whole reason you say you would want this lens, for low light shots?

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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The 85 1.4 is amazing, but the 85 1.8, 50 1.8, and 35 2.0 can all be bought for that money.
;)

1.4 is an issue because either you composition and focusing are perfect or you would have been better off at 1.8 / 2 and a stop more ISO - regardless of noise. Noisy shot is better than out of focus shot. He mentioned family indoors and 1.4 is indeed hard to work with with the 50 with moving subjects.

Posted 3 years ago #
nau

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...on a DOF for 50mm 1.4
I got one - and I love it, its the best lens for low light photography combining it with 6400 ISO its amazing what you can see

will I get another lens with 1.4 ? NO ... its indeed very hard DOF to work with and usually 1.8 can do the job just as well for a lot less $$$

as in for 85.... very hard call its a good lens but its really due for a newer version and considering that you need to spend ...significant amount of cash on this one its kinda crap if it gets updated in a month or 2 : )

Posted 3 years ago #
ted2001

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I agree with Nau, get the 50/1.4 G version. On your D90 you get a 75mm 1.4 - an excellent portrait lens. On your speculative D700, it's a normal lens, perfect. Once you have the D700, you can decide whether you liked the 75mm focal length the 50 created on your D90, if you do, get an 85. If you're lucky, Nikon will have revised their 85/1.4 by then.

Posted 3 years ago #
soap

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Ted's thoughts seem well reasoned.

Posted 3 years ago #
adamz

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There's also an option to go for the Sigma's 50/1.4 - as it has a standard filter size (on pro lenses - 77mm) and also slightly faster AF than any 50mm Nikkor

Posted 3 years ago #
mb

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On DX 50mm is useful for portraits, people, close ups and macro (with extension rings). I am using low cost 50mm f/1.8 on D90 and it is one of the sharpest lenses I've ever used, but it is useless on full frame, not for portraits, not for landscape, to short for macro, it will actually be to long for group indoor shooting ...
You choice should depend on what you want and what you could afford.
If you need highest IQ 85mm f/1.4 should be your choice, 127mm on DX it is mid long lens ideal for portraits and close ups, incredible macro with extension rings etc. It is as useful on full frame. Though you have 70-300 it is really not in the same class and you are getting fast prime because you want highest possible IQ right, so it does not matter if 70-300 is covering the same range. Buying lenses is not just for covering the range, why cover something that you will never use.

Posted 3 years ago #
ted2001

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mb, Do you really think that 50mm on FX is useless? Wow, for years that was "the" standard lens. I love my 35/1.8 on DX (52.5 equivalent) and find it very useful. The focal length range of 35-55 mm (FX) has always had a sense of immediacy, without the distortion of in-your-face wide angles. Great for street work. Leica can even get $9,995 for their 50/.95, they must know nothing!

Posted 3 years ago #
mb

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I was just stating my opinion and what I use and like and, for me at least, that is the point of photography.
Knowledge here is not a universal one and has noting to do with anything.

Posted 3 years ago #
Dp1363

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Joined: Oct '09
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Sounds like the move is to go with the 50mm 1.4 for now and wait to see what the price will be for the new 85 1.4 VR. Assuming that is what will be released. I was worried that the 50mm 1.4 would be too wide but I wanted to get something in that range anyway.

So assuming that I want to get the 85mm 1.4 in the future. What is the speculation on the pricing on new lenses with Nikon. For instance I have seen lenses that get popular and sell for more latter than when they were first released. Some others lose value based on adoption rate, ratings etc.

So, assuming the 85 AFS1.4VR will be released, does it make sense to buy it right away assuming it will get popular and the street value will go up down the road?

Posted 3 years ago #

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Nikon 50mm 1.4G vs 85mm 1.4

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